Be the Anchor

We have been listening to some CD's that my sister-in-law, Brooke, made for our family reunion this year.  She asked that each person submit their favorite song.  As we drove to different events, we would listen and guess whose favorite song it was. We have some new favorites! Kerst was listening to Cara's favorite (Anchor by Mindy Gledhill) and said, "I want to be that person someday. The anchor." I thought that was so sweet. We all need an anchor.  I'm glad I have one too.

To Be Bold

When my 8 year old niece, Emma, stayed with me this summer for a couple of weeks, you would think she was quite bold.  She would ask Merrick, Jenna's boyfriend, why he wore certain things (tank tops), why he had hair under his arms.  He would just smile and answer her questions.  

She'd ask him to watch a Barbie movie with her.  "Of course!" he would say and would head to the theater in our basement and watch the movie with Jenna, Emma, Brooklynn and Jaley.  Emma and Brooklynn would ask Merrick to read a Disney Princess book to them.  "Of course!" was his reply with a smile on his face.  They'd all sit on the couch together as Merrick would read to them.

Emma nonchalantly asked Merrick one day if he would go to church with her.  "Of course!" he told her.

Sure enough he went to church with Emma (and us).

I teased my sister, Cara, that Emma should ask Merrick if he would be baptized.  He'd probably smile and say, "Of course!"

A week or so ago I asked Merrick if he wanted to take the missionary discussions.  "Of course!" he answered.

Tonight was the third discussion.  It was a neat experience - all of the lessons have been quite amazing.  The elders (Elder King and Elder Gentry) asked Merrick if he wanted to be baptized.  "Of course!" was his reply.

The date is set for Aug 25.  We have a time table to work out since Jenna is moving to UT on Aug 19.

We are thrilled!  He is a super sweet young man.  He knows our standards and is learning our beliefs.  As a Mom, I appreciate how he respects Jenna and follows our standards.

Thanks Emma for being bold.  For showing me that it is OK to come right out and ask questions.  To invite.  He was just politely waiting for the invitation so he could reply "Of course!"

Introducing Jaley's smile - brace free!

Here she is ... beautiful and fun!

She did her own photos and designed the collage herself.  Talented.  Beautiful.  Love her!

News article featuring Jenna

I found the high school student newspaper on the floor in Jaley's room and saw this article.  I didn't even know!

It was neat to read Jenna's insight, thoughts and feelings.

She did take that challenge head on and left many people changed for the better.

On the same note ... this public service announcement is powerful.

Jaley's Dream

Jaley has told me several times that she has a dream that she goes to the orthodontist and he says "let's take those off today."

I think it's really cute.

Today her dream came true.

She has had her jaw popping more recently. Yesterday when she told me, I immediately called the office to tell them (Dr. R asked me to let him know when it happens). The office told me they could see her this morning at 9:00 to check and see what is going on.

When Dr. R told her his plan, she looked up dazed and said, "What?"

It was really cute.

They took them off ... she looks gorgeous. 

On the way home she said she was afraid she will wake up and discover it was all a dream.  She needed to be pinched.

50 miler

Kerst and John left on June 24 for the 50 mile backpacking trip in the mountains with the boy scouts.

 

Do remember the flu I caught and had while taking pictures of my niece's wedding?

John caught it.  The first evening.

Their 50 miler ended up being less ... and only 2 days long instead of 6.  I rescued them on the second day.

There will be another opportunity in two years for another 50 miler.

Kerst is doing a 14er camp out next weekend.